Environmental Field Days Over 500 eager fourth graders from Wilson County visited the Tony Daniel Environmental Education Farm, located off Hwy 117 near Black Creek in Wilson County, to have fun and learn at the same time. During April 19. 20, and 21, students saw wildlife, were taught new things about soil, aquatics, forestry, soil conservation, and plants/animals. Stations for Aquatics, Soils, and Soil Conservation were hosted by Wilson Soil and Water staff. Contests The theme by the Association's Education Committee and adopted by the Association for 2004-2005 was "The Living Soil". Grades 3rd, 4th and 5th participate in the poster contest. 6th grade may participate in the poster and essay contest, and 7th and 8th grades participate in the public speaking contest. Students must first compete in the District Contest. Students that place 1st in their categories in the District Contest advance to the Area IV Contest competition. From the Area IV Contest, 1st place winners advance to the State Contest. Area and State Poster Winners Kathleen Boyette - 4th Grade - Rock Ridge Elementary Jessica Gilchrist - 6th Grade - Forest Hills Middle District Contest The District Speech contest was held on November 22th at the Agricultural Building. The 7th grade winner was Chris McGee, Forest Hills Middle, and the 8th grade winner was Charlotte Rastas, Toisnot Middle. Area/State Contest Congratulations to Charlotte Rastas of Toisnot Middle School for winning 1st place in the Area Speech Contest for Eighth grade, held in Wilson County on March 17th and continuing on to win 1st place in the State competition held in Raleigh on May 6th. Sue Glover traveled to Raleigh to support Charlotte from the Wilson District. Awards Banquet Over one hundred people attended the Annual Awards Banquet on December 3rd at the Agricultural Building, which was made possible by The Heritage Bank, Wilson County Farm Bureau, State Farm Insurance-Chuck Finklea, P.L. Woodard and Company, Andrews Hunt Farms, LLC, Branch Banking and Trust, and Perry's Bulldozer Service. The Wilson County Soil and Water Conservation District presented awards to contest winners.  First Place winners received $25.00 and a certificate.  Second Place winners received $15.00 and a certificate. Teacher of the Year Misty Parris, teacher at Rock Ridge Elementary School was selected by Wilson County Soil and Water Conservation District as Teacher of the Year. Misty is a second year teacher at Rock Ridge. She was instrumental in working with Sue Glover in the Environmental Education program to develop a butterfly garden with a bluebird house at the school. A resident bluebird moved in less than 48 hours. Now everyone benefits from her dedication and efforts to make the school environment more inviting. Misty was presented with an engraved clock in appreciation of her dedication to environmental education. Congratulations Misty! Environmental Education Certification Anthony Hester is currently working to achieve his Environmental Education Certification.  To receive a certification, one must complete several criteria that include seven ten-hour instructional workshops, fifty hours of out-of-doors experience, thirty hours teaching experience and an action partnership with the educator taking the lead role. Certificate of Appreciation The District office staff each received a plague and a watch for outstanding teamwork from NRCS. The plagues and gifts were presented by Bill Harrell, State Conservationist, at the Area 3 Meeting held on September 8, 2004 in Nashville, NC at Rose Hill.